Fully-jabbed UK visitors will be allowed to enter the USA from November 8 in a major breakthrough announced by President Joe Biden's government.
The reopening of the transatlantic corridor was confirmed with the lifting of Presidential Order 212F which will allow air traffic between the two nations to fully resume and a lengthy shutdown during the pandemic.
Curbs on non-essential travellers at land borders have been in place since March 2020 because of the pandemic and were first imposed on air passengers from in China in early 2020 and extended to more than 30 other countries.
It was confirmed in September by the White House that restrictions would be relaxed without giving a firm date when it would happen, but it has now been officially announced.
The move has been welcomed by airlines. Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, commented: “The US Government’s confirmation that fully vaccinated UK visitors will be able to enter the US from November 8 is welcome news and finally allows consumers and businesses to book travel with confidence.
"The US has been our heartland for more than 37 years and we are simply not Virgin without the Atlantic. We’ve been steadily ramping up flying to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and we can’t wait to fly our customers safely to their favourite US cities, on holiday or to reconnect with friends, loved ones and colleagues.
“As the UK forges its recovery from the pandemic, the reopening of the transatlantic corridor acknowledges the great progress both nations have made in rolling out successful vaccine programmes.
"The UK will now be able to strengthen ties with our most important economic partner, the US, boosting trade and tourism as well as reuniting friends, families and business colleagues."
Julia Simpson, World Travel & Tourism Council president and CEO, added: “It is great news that the US will reopen its borders to fully-vaccinated travellers from the UK and EU. It has been a long time coming, but businesses on both sides of the Atlantic will be breathing a sigh of relief."
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